Chapter 7 - Stephano.

A L Y S S A

The guards at the entrance take a curious look at me before they finally open the doors, allowing me passage. Inside, the space steals my breath, marble floors gleaming beneath towering ceilings, a sweeping staircase rising upward, light spilling from a chandelier so large it looks like it probably cost more than my entire livelihood.

Then a woman appears, beautiful in her simple yet elegant grey dress, smiling back at me with politeness.

"Miss Hart, welcome. Right this way." She says, and that's when she begins guiding me through a series of quiet hallways and into a sitting room filled with firelight and black velvet.

"You may wait here. Please have a seat." She instructs me to one of the couches, and I stare at her nervously before taking a seat and looking around the room in pure awe. Okay, I knew the Valentinos had money, but they're practically living like royalty here...

“Would you like something to drink?” She asks me softly, and I contemplate it. Maybe a drink would help me calm my nerves, but then I realise that I need a clear mind for what is to happen.

“No, thank you,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

The woman simply nods at me before turning to walk away.

As she leaves, I sit quietly, waiting patiently as I listen to the fire crackle softly, filling the silence. I remain perfectly still, afraid that if I move too much, I will betray how unprepared I feel. This is a mansion. I am here to meet the man I agreed to marry... a complete stranger. All because my mother is dying...

At any second now... I'm about to meet the man who might own me for the next two years. And all I can think is... I shouldn’t be here. But it’s too late for that now.

If you had told me yesterday that this was where I'd end up in the next 24 hours, I would've probably told you to jump into the river.

After what feels like forever, I finally hear footsteps approach, and I immediately stand to my feet, straightening out my dress yet again and taking in a deep breath to compose myself. Mr and Mrs Valentino enter without a word, side by side, like royalty entering a throne room. They gazes immediately lands on me, just before they share a curious glance at each other, before turning back and approaching me slowly.

“Miss Hart,” Mrs Valentino says with a nod, a small smile grazing her red lips as she makes her way over to me. “Welcome. You look lovely.” She says.

“Beautiful,” Mr Valentino adds, his voice smoother than it has any right to be. “Our son will appreciate the effort...” They say, and they seem to be more excited than I expected for me to meet their son...

As they stare back at me, I'm unsure of whether to thank them or correct the assumption. But still, I speak up anyway.

 "Thank you, Mr and Mrs Valentino..." I answer them despite the tightness in my throat.

Mrs Valentino nods, then takes a seat on one of the velvet chairs, perfectly composed, while Mr Valentino remains standing, glancing toward the door behind him.

“He’ll be here any moment.” Mr Valentino informs me, and that's when my heartbeat spikes yet again.

I nod once, my heart pounding. I try my best to keep calm despite the ringing in my ears. What will he be like? Will he be completely unattractive and rude? I have no idea...

Soon, my thoughts are cut short by the sound of footsteps. Slow, unhurried and seemingly confident.

I feel it before I truly see him, the way the air changes, the way my lungs forget how to draw a full breath, the instinctive tightening in my chest that has nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with survival. When I finally turn my head and look at him, I understand why his parents spoke about him the way they did, why Carmen joked about cold-blooded princes, why this house feels built around power rather than comfort. Then I turn my head, and time seems to slow me as I come face to face with the man who has just entered the room...

I freeze as I eye him from head to toe, completely stunned by how handsome he is... He’s much taller than I expected, taller than both his mother and father. Broad shoulders beneath a perfectly cut black suit. His hair is pitch black and wavy, sharp against his cream-white skin. And his eyes, cold and steel grey, scan the room with the precision of a man who sees everything and feels nothing. He bears a striking resemblance to both Mr and Mrs Valentino, and that's when I realise exactly who he is...

Stephano Valentino himself.

By the time his eyes land on me, I feel the impact like a physical thing, my stomach suddenly tightening as though I have been singled out by something that does not miss and does not forget. His brows draw together slightly, not in anger, not in interest, but in confusion, as if my presence disrupts an expectation he did not know he had.

“Who is this?” he asks, his voice smooth and low, devoid of anything resembling kindness, yet still enough to send chills running along the surface of my skin.

I flinch internally even though I remain still, my hands folded tightly in front of me, my shoulders drawn back as though posture might protect me from the scrutiny pressing down on my skin.

His gaze moves away from me and settles on his parents, sharp and questioning as he waits for them to answer.

Mr Valentino does not hesitate. “This is Alyssa Hart,” he says calmly, motioning his hand towards me.

“Your future bride.” He finally says, and that's when I meet Stephano's gaze, too afraid to say anything. His parents didn't tell him this was happening? Why does he seem so confused...

My nerves skyrocket, and I know that whatever his reaction will be, it won't be a good one...